It’s always any excuse for a party in Thailand (and cynics may say excuse for some merchandising), so Thais are always more than happy to join in a Western New Year celebration, as well as celebrating Thai New Year and Chinese New Year. Here’s a brief rundown on what to expect in Thailand’s northern capital … read the full post

There seems to be no shortage of hotels and bungalows in Ko Lipe, but hearing, “We’re fully booked!” a few times when you’re actually trying to find somewhere on foot after you’ve arrived can be a bit disheartening for the spontaneous-minded traveller. We’ve covered budget guesthouses on Ko Lipe in some detail before, but here … read the full post

Phuket hosts plenty of festivals throughout the year, but its party spirit really comes to life in crackling form on New Year’s Eve. The island’s two New Year’s Eve party hotspots are Patong beach and Phuket Town, but if you head down to any of the main west-coast beaches on December 31 you’re in for … read the full post

We’re not specifically targeting the blue-rinse brigade, but since we regularly review the more interesting coffee shops in Chiang Mai why not a tea shop for a change? And the excellent Siam Celadon is certainly one of Chiang Mai’s finest. So for the low down on Earl Grey and cucumber sandwiches in northern Thailand… here … read the full post

As far as New Year’s Eve goes, you won’t have to look far for a party on Thailand’s Ko Samui. As with Christmas, be warned if you’re booking a hotel that many of the resorts have compulsory gala dinners. If you’re footloose and fancy free, anywhere along the beach is a good bet, as resorts … read the full post

Thailand has long been an Asian crossroads where ideas, philosophies and goods have converged and flowed in myriad directions. It’s also home to a rich artistic tradition that has produced distinctive works while embracing fine arts of other cultures. One of the best places in Bangkok to explore this rich and diverse legacy are the … read the full post

It’s quite difficult to advise anyone on how long to spend here on Ko Tao. I would say, “Never leave!” but that’s probably not the most helpful answer. It does depend on why you are coming and then the overall length of your trip away and what you like too. Discounting your arrival and departure … read the full post

New restaurant Nirvana in popular Fisherman’s Village offers a selection of Thai, Asian-fusion and Western food. The decor is warm and inviting, with a lounge-type feel created by wooden and rattan furniture, burgundy cushions and drapes and candles on the table. Choose from several seating areas: stools around the bar, inside dining tables, streetfront bar tables … read the full post

You’ll never be short of somewhere to drink on Sukhumvit Soi 11 and it seems the last few months have seen an exponential increase in the number of new bars and clubs opening their doors. Competition is getting stiff, but Levels is proving to be one of the most successful launches. Hop in the lift … read the full post

Most travellers briefly pass through south Thailand’s Trang province en route to one of the Andaman Sea islands, perhaps grabbing a kopi or stopping by one of the area’s many waterfalls along the way. In search of something different, we recently gave the Trang Peninsular Botanical Gardens (Thung Khai) a shot. We were expecting plants … read the full post